JP2016218775A - Alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm with high reliability, which maintains conduction of a connector inside the alarm so as to be able to operate with precision in case of the occurrence of an abnormal situation.SOLUTION: An alarm 1 includes: a detection section 2 for detecting a state of an external environment; a control section 3 for processing detection data of the detection section 2; and a notification section 4 operating by a control signal from the control section 3. At least one component 6 of the alarm 1 is connected via a connector 5. The control section 3 includes conduction maintenance means 7 which performs conduction maintenance energization for maintaining conduction of the connector 5 on the connector 5 at a predetermined period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an alarm device that detects and notifies an abnormal state of an ambient environment such as a gas leak or a fire, and more particularly to an alarm device that maintains continuity of a connector to which a component in the alarm device is connected.

  Alarms that detect and notify abnormal conditions in the surrounding environment, such as gas leaks and fires, are being installed in each room in general houses due to the development of related laws and regulations, and the awareness of disaster prevention has increased. There is a demand for supplying a stable quality alarm device at low cost. In the alarm assembly process, each component of the alarm is electrically connected to, for example, a wiring board. Such connection is mainly performed by soldering. However, from the viewpoint of facilitating assembly and preventing problems caused by solder that tends to scatter during mounting, connectors may be used to connect some components. . In addition, the use of a connector may be preferable in terms of installation and maintenance of the alarm device in order to allow disassembly of the alarm device and replacement of deteriorated parts. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fire alarm device in which an alarm circuit unit that detects a fire and issues an alarm and a battery that supplies power to the alarm circuit unit are connected by a connector.

JP 2009-110222 A

  In the connector, for example, when the plug and the receptacle are in physical contact with each other, the electrical components connected thereto and the electrical circuit on the wiring board are electrically connected. Contact bodies such as plugs and receptacles (or jacks) are mainly formed of copper or the like, and preferably a plating film of a base metal such as tin is formed on the surface. However, an oxide film is formed at the contact interface between the contact bodies due to the oxidation of metal powder caused by the fine sliding of the contact bodies with the passage of time. By using a noble metal such as gold or silver for the plating film, the formation of the oxide film is reduced, but it is not always completely prevented, but rather it causes an increase in cost. When the oxide film is formed, the electrical characteristics of the alarm device are lowered with an increase in the electrical resistance in the connector, and a normal alarm operation cannot be obtained.

  When a connector is used for battery connection as in Patent Document 1, a relatively large current flows constantly or frequently, so that an oxide film is hardly formed, and even if formed, it is easily destroyed by the next energization. However, when the current is not supplied for a long period of time, a thick oxide film that cannot be easily broken may be formed, which is a particular problem.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and can maintain the electrical connection of the connector in the alarm device. In the unlikely event that the electrical characteristics do not deteriorate with the passage of time. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable alarm device that can reliably perform an alarm operation even when an abnormal situation occurs.

  An alarm device of the present invention is an alarm device having a detection unit that detects a state of an external environment, a control unit that processes detection data of the detection unit, and a notification unit that operates according to a control signal from the control unit. In addition, at least one of the components of the alarm is connected via a connector, and the control unit has conduction maintaining means for performing conduction maintenance energization for the connector at a predetermined time to maintain the conduction of the connector. doing.

  In addition, it further includes an external operation means operable from the outside, and the continuity maintaining means is configured to perform the continuity maintaining energization when the external operation means is operated. This is preferable because the conduction maintaining operation can be performed at a desired time.

  Further, periodic energization means for periodically conducting the continuity conduction energization, maintenance means for performing an inspection of the alarm function of the alarm device and performing the continuity maintenance energization during the inspection of the alarm function, and a current flowing through the connector It is preferable to provide an energization control means for suspending the conduction maintaining energization for a predetermined period from the time of stopping, since it is possible to maintain the conduction continuously while saving power.

  When the contact resistance of the connector is periodically inspected, and the continuity inspection means for conducting the continuity maintenance energization when the contact resistance inspection results in a failure determination, an increase in the contact resistance can be detected quickly. It is preferable because it can be maintained below a predetermined resistance value.

  In addition, if a failure notification means is provided for performing a post-inspection of the contact resistance of the connector after the continuity maintaining energization and notifying the user when the post-inspection is a failure determination, the user can recognize the failure early. This is preferable.

  It is preferable that the continuity maintaining means is configured to perform the continuity maintaining energization with a current smaller than the current that flows during operation of the components connected via the connector, because power consumption is reduced.

  If the component connected through the connector is a sound generator, and the continuity maintaining means is configured to perform the continuity maintaining energization with a pulse having a frequency outside the audible band, the user may be mistaken for an abnormality. This is preferable because it does not occur.

  According to the present invention, the electrical connection of the connector in the alarm device can be ensured at a predetermined time. The electrical connection performance of the connector can be continuously maintained by ensuring electrical conduction as needed or periodically. Therefore, the electrical characteristics of the alarm device do not deteriorate with the passage of time, and the performance of the alarm device can be maintained. In addition, even if an abnormal situation occurs when the components connected by the connector have not been operating for a long period of time, the components connected by the connector can be operated reliably, ensuring user safety. The occurrence of a major accident can be prevented.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the alarm device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the alarm device of other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the alarm device of embodiment of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the electricity supply control means of embodiment of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the test | inspection circuit of the continuity test | inspection means of embodiment of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the continuity test | inspection means of embodiment of FIG.

  Next, an alarm device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an alarm device 1 according to an embodiment includes a detection unit 2 that detects a state of an external environment, a control unit 3 that processes detection data of the detection unit 2, and a control signal from the control unit 3. It has the alerting | reporting part 4 which operates by. Although not shown, the alarm device 1 is composed of a plurality of components, and at least one of the components of the alarm device 1 is electrically connected to other components in the alarm device 1 via the connector 5. ing. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the electrical component 6 is connected via a connector 5. The control unit 3 includes conduction maintaining means 7 that is electrically connected to the connector 5. The continuity maintaining means 7 is configured to perform continuity maintaining energization for the connector 5 to maintain continuity of the contact portion of the connector 5 at a predetermined time.

  “Continuity energization” means that a current is passed through the connector in order to reduce the contact resistance between the contact bodies in the connector. The magnitude of the contact resistance achieved by the reduction is not defined as an absolute value, but is a resistance value at which the function required in the alarm device is exhibited without problems among the functions of the components connected by the connector. . Such a reduction to a preferred resistance value may be achieved by passing the current one or more times. For example, the oxide film at the contact interface of the contact body is destroyed by the conduction maintaining current, whereby the conduction performance is restored. However, the specific mode of maintaining or recovering the conduction is not limited to the destruction of the oxide film, and may be the dissipation of minute insulating foreign matters due to a change in magnetic field due to energization or arc discharge. In continuity conduction energization, the current and magnitude (amplitude) of components that are connected via the connector, energization time, DC / AC, and / or frequency and duty in the case of AC Currents with different ratios are passed. By doing so, for example, an oxide film that cannot be destroyed in normal operation can be destroyed. And / or it is possible to prevent the user from confusing the operation of the component by the conduction maintaining current and the normal operation.

  Although the connector 5 and the electrical component 6 are depicted in the control unit 3 in FIG. 1, the detection unit 2 and the control unit 3 are surrounded by a two-dot chain line P extending from the detection unit 2 to the notification unit 4. And any part belonging to the notification unit 4. When the alarm device 1 includes one or more functional blocks other than the detection unit 2, the control unit 3, and the notification unit 4, the connector 5 and the electrical component 6 may belong to such functional blocks. Also, other components that are electrically connected to the electrical component 6 via the connector 5 are components belonging to any of the detection unit 2, the control unit 3, the notification unit 4, and other functional blocks not shown. Also good. That is, in FIG. 1, the connector 5 is connected only to the continuity maintaining means 7, but the electrical component 6 may be electrically connected to a component other than the parts constituting the continuity maintaining means 7 via the connector 5. Good.

The detection unit 2 mainly includes various sensors (not shown) that monitor physical phenomena in the monitoring target area around the alarm device 1 and output monitoring data. The various sensors include, for example, various gas sensors that detect carbon monoxide (CO) gas, methane gas (CH ₄ ), or propane gas (C ₃ H ₈ ), a temperature sensor including a thermistor, a humidity sensor, or a smoke sensor, odor It may be a sensor or the like. The number of sensors constituting the detection unit 2 may be one or more, and the detection unit 2 may include different types of sensors. In addition to the sensors, the detection unit 2 may include a peripheral circuit that adjusts the output level of each sensor, for example. Detection data output from the detection unit 2 is sent to the control unit 3.

  The control unit 3 preferably records an input signal calculation function, a comparison function with a reference value, a timer function or a count function for monitoring the passage of time, a control program, each input data, calculation results, comparison results, and the like. The detection data sent from the detection unit 2 is processed. The control unit 3 includes, for example, a commercially available semiconductor device such as a microcomputer or ASIC, and is configured to operate according to a built-in program. In addition to such a microcomputer, the control unit 3 may include a storage element such as an EEPROM, an individual semiconductor element such as a transistor and a diode, and a passive element such as a resistor and a capacitor. The control unit 3 determines whether or not the environment around the alarm device 1 is in an abnormal state, and a control signal based on the determination is sent to the notification unit 4.

  The notification unit 4 includes, for example, a light emitting diode, a buzzer, a speaker, and / or a display device. The notification unit 4 operates according to a control signal from the control unit 3 and emits light or sound to cause an abnormal situation to the user or the like. Announcing the occurrence of The notification unit 4 may include a display or a sound generation device that notifies the user of the state of the alarm device 1, for example, the state of power reception or the presence or absence of a failure location, in addition to notification of abnormalities in the surrounding environment. . The notification unit 4 may include, for example, a driving device that generates a drive current such as a buzzer or a speaker based on a control signal from the control unit 3 in addition to the various types of notification means.

  Although not shown, the alarm device 1 includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the detection unit 2, the control unit 3, and the notification unit 4. In addition, as described above, the alarm device 1 sends other functional blocks other than the detection unit 2, the control unit 3 and the notification unit 4, for example, detection data to an external device or the like, or receives a user instruction wirelessly. May have a communication unit or the like. Since the operation from the monitoring of the surrounding environment and detection of an abnormality by the detection unit 2 to the notification of an abnormal situation by the notification unit 4 is the same as that of a conventional alarm device, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The connector 5 includes a contact body 5a and a contact body 5b. When the contact body 5a and the contact body 5b are coupled to each other, the conductor connected to the contact body 5a and the conductor connected to the contact body 5b are electrically connected. Connect. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the connector 5 is a two-pole connector, the number of poles of the connector 5 may be one or may be three or more. In FIG. 1, the contact body 5 a is a female mold (socket) and the contact body 5 b is a male mold (plug). The contact bodies 5a and 5b may be connected to a conductive wire, connected to a wiring board that forms the electric circuit of the alarm 1, or as a part of the electric component 6 or to the electric component 6. It may be formed as a part of other components that are electrically connected. In the example of FIG. 1, the connector 5 includes a housing 5c that accommodates the contact bodies 5a and 5b. However, the connector 5 may have no housing. In short, the connector 5 may be any type of connection member that electrically connects one or more sets of conductors to each other by contact between the contact bodies.

  The component connected via the connector 5 (electrical component 6 in the example of FIG. 1) may be any component that constitutes the alarm device 1 and operates by energization. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the electric component 6 includes two electrodes, the number of poles of the electric component 6 may be one or three or more. The electrical component 6 may be, for example, various sensors in the detection unit 2, may be various semiconductor elements or passive elements in the control unit 3, and may be a speaker, a buzzer, or a display member in the notification unit 4. Good. When the electrical component 6 that is one of the components of the alarm device 1 is connected via the connector 5, the assembly of the alarm device 1 or the replacement of the electrical component 6 at the time of failure may be facilitated. The components connected via the connector 5 are not particularly limited in this way, but are not always energized while the alarm device 1 is operating, but are electrically energized only under specific conditions such as when an abnormality is detected. In this case, the conduction maintaining energization according to the present embodiment is particularly effective. This is because formation of a thick oxide film during a long non-energization period can be prevented, and the alarm device 1 can be normally operated when an alarm operation is required.

  The continuity maintaining means 7 maintains the continuity between the contact body 5a and the contact body 5b of the connector 5 by performing continuity maintenance energization to pass a current through the connector 5 at a predetermined time. Specifically, the conduction maintaining means 7 is, for example, an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer or an ASIC in the control unit 3, a control program that defines the operation of the arithmetic device, a storage device such as a ROM in which the control program is recorded, or an arithmetic device. And a device for generating a current to be supplied to the connector 5 based on a signal from the arithmetic device. The device that generates current may be a drive device that generates a drive current for the electrical component 6 during normal operation of the electrical component 6, or may be an amplifier that operates by supplying power from a power supply unit (not shown). A current is passed from the continuity maintaining means 7 to the connector 5, whereby the continuity of the connector 5 is maintained. For example, when an oxide film is formed between the contact bodies 5a and 5b in the connector 5 and the contact resistance between the two is so large as to hinder the normal operation of the electrical component 6, the conduction maintaining means 7 is energized. The conductivity of the connector 5 is maintained by the destruction of the oxide film and the restoration of the conductivity between the contact bodies 5a and 5b (hereinafter referred to simply as “maintenance of conductivity” including the case where the conductivity is restored) or "Continuity conduction").

  The mode of the continuity maintaining current that is passed through the connector 5 by the continuity maintaining energization is determined by the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3 that constitutes the continuity maintaining means 7 according to the type of the electrical component 6. For example, the conduction maintaining current may be alternating current or direct current. The conduction maintaining current may be a direct current having a larger average value than a current flowing during normal operation of the electrical component 6 or an alternating current having a large amplitude or effective value. The conduction maintaining current may be a pulse current having a high level current value higher than the current value during normal operation of the electrical component 6. When the magnitude of the conduction maintaining current is large, the oxide film between the contact bodies 5a and 5b that is not broken in the normal operation of the electric component 6 may be broken.

  However, as long as the continuity maintaining current is a value that can maintain the continuity of the connector 5, it may be preferable that the continuity maintaining current is smaller than the current value during normal operation of the electrical component 6. For example, when the alarm device 1 is a battery-type alarm device that does not require a commercial power supply, the smaller the current value of the continuity maintaining current, the smaller the power consumption and the longer the battery. In addition, when the electrical component 6 is a buzzer, a speaker, a light emitting diode, or the like that configures the notification unit 4, it may be preferable that the current value of the conduction maintaining current is small. By energizing with a current value that generates only a sound or light with a volume or intensity that cannot be recognized by the user, it is possible to prevent the user from misidentifying that an abnormality in the surrounding environment or a failure of the alarm device 1 has been reported. it can. For example, when a current of about 200 mA to 300 mA flows during normal operation of the electrical component 6, the conduction maintaining current may be preferably about 100 μA to 10 mA, which is one digit or more smaller, and more preferably about 500 μA to 5 mA. It may be preferable.

  In addition, when the electrical component 6 is a sound generating component such as a speaker or a buzzer constituting the notification unit 4 and a sound corresponding to the frequency of the energized current is generated, the conduction maintaining current is set to a frequency outside the audible band. By using the alternating current or the pulse current, the sound that can be generated by the conduction maintaining current can be made a sound in a sound range that the user cannot recognize. As a result, as in the case where the volume is low, it is possible to prevent the user from misidentifying the alarm as an abnormal state. Therefore, it may be preferable that the frequency of the conduction maintaining current is, for example, 20 Hz or less, or 20 kHz or more.

  The timing when the continuity maintaining means 7 conducts the continuity maintaining energization may be appropriately set according to various circumstances such as the type and characteristics of the alarm device 1 and the installation location. For example, when the detection data from the detection unit does not reach an alarm but changes beyond a predetermined threshold, the connector 5 to which the electrical component 6 in the notification unit 4 is connected in preparation for an immediate alarm operation. In contrast, a conduction maintaining current may be passed. The conduction maintaining energization is not limited to this, and may be performed according to a user's request or may be performed periodically. An alarm device 10 (see FIG. 2) of another embodiment having several means for causing the conduction maintaining means 7 to conduct conduction maintaining energization at various times when the conduction maintaining energization is performed by the conduction maintaining means 7 is taken as an example. This will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the alarm device 10 includes the detection unit 2, the control unit 3, the notification unit 4, and the continuity maintaining means 7, similarly to the alarm device 1 of FIG. 1, and further includes external operation means. 8. In FIG. 2, the connection display between the connector 5 and the electrical component 6 and each means such as the conduction maintaining means 7 and the external operation means 8 is omitted. The external operation means 8 is provided in a part of the casing 91 (see FIG. 3) of the alarm device 10 so that a user or the like can operate the alarm device 10 from the outside, and a predetermined voltage or electric signal is supplied to the control unit 3. It is electrically connected to the control unit 3 so that it can be input or a part of the electric circuit of the control unit 3 can be grounded. By providing the external operation means 8, the user can cause the alarm device 10 to perform a desired specific operation at a desired timing. The specific configuration of the external operation means 8 is not particularly limited as long as it can function in this manner, and may be, for example, a push button type or a slide type switch as shown in FIG. It may be a keyboard with some keys or a touch panel display so that somewhat complicated information can be input, and a switch provided on a remote control or mobile terminal separate from the alarm It may be a kind. The alarm device 10 according to the embodiment is configured such that the operation state of the external operation means 8 is directly or indirectly transmitted to the conduction maintaining means 7, and the conduction maintaining means 7 is configured so that the external operation means 8 is in a predetermined state. It is configured to conduct continuity energization when operated.

  For example, the external operation means 8 is a push button switch connected between one of the input terminals of the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3 constituting the continuity maintaining means 7 and a power supply unit or ground potential (not shown) of the alarm device 10. It may be. When the external operation means 8 is pressed, a voltage having substantially the same potential as the power supply or the ground is input to the input terminal of the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3 connected to the external operation means 8, and the conduction maintaining means is triggered by this. 7 may be performed to maintain the continuity.

  The external operation means 8 may be operated to cause the alarm device 10 to perform other operations besides causing the conduction maintaining means 7 to conduct conduction maintaining electricity. For example, the external operation means 8 may be a switch operated when the user causes the alarm device 10 to perform a self-check including an inspection of the alarm function. In other words, the continuity maintaining means 7 may be configured to perform continuity maintaining energization at the time of periodic inspection of an alarm device stipulated by law or at the time of inspection of an alarm device voluntarily performed by a user at a desired timing. . By being configured to perform conduction maintaining energization during inspections stipulated by laws and regulations, conduction maintaining energization is performed periodically without continuing the non-energized state for a long period of time. Thereby, the continuity of the connector 5 is continuously maintained. In addition, when the continuity maintaining energization is performed according to the operation of the external operation means 8, the electric component 6 emits a sound or light that can be recognized by the user even if it is a speaker or a display in the notification unit 4. In some cases, it is preferable to conduct the continuity conduction. This is because it is preferable that the user does not misidentify as an alarm or the like, but rather can recognize that the inspection operation has been performed normally.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the alarm device 10 further includes a periodic energizing unit 9, a maintenance unit 11, an energizing control unit 12, a continuity inspection unit 13, and a failure notification unit 14. Each means is described separately from the control unit 3, the notification unit 4, and the like, but the components of the alarm device 10 and / or their belonging to the control unit 3, the notification unit 4, and / or the detection unit 2 It consists of individual elements within each component that provide the particular function that the component has. Each means includes, for example, both a component part belonging to the control unit 3 and a component part belonging to the notification unit 4 and is therefore described separately from each part.

  Specifically, each means is, for example, a calculation element or determination element in a calculation device such as a microcomputer or ASIC in the control unit 3, a control program that defines the operation of the calculation device, and a ROM in which the control program is recorded Or a storage element in an arithmetic unit. Each means may include an oscillator for monitoring the elapsed time or a clock generating element in the arithmetic unit, and a counter or timer element as necessary, and a measurement for measuring the contact resistance of the connector 5. A circuit, a measurement current generation element, and a voltage detection element may be included. The operation of each means is defined by, for example, a control program recorded in a storage device in the control unit 3 or a storage element in the arithmetic device. A predetermined operation of each means is performed by an arithmetic unit such as a microcomputer executing this control program. Hereinafter, the operation of each means will be described in order.

  The regular energizing means 9 is configured to cause the continuity maintaining means 7 to periodically conduct continuity energization. For example, the periodic energizing means 9 counts the output of the oscillator in the control unit 3 or the clock of the clock element in the arithmetic unit such as a microcomputer with a counter or monitors it with a timer element. The regular energizing means 9 transmits, for example, a trigger signal so as to energize the continuity maintaining means 7 when the count of the counter reaches a predetermined number or when a predetermined time has been detected by the timer element. To send instructions. When the periodic energizing means 9 sends an instruction to the continuity maintaining means 7, it resets the counter or timer element and then continues the clock counting operation and the elapsed time monitoring operation. The continuity maintaining means 7 performs continuity maintaining energization each time an instruction from the periodic energization means 9 is received. As a result, continuity maintaining energization is periodically performed, and the continuity of the connector 5 is continuously maintained.

  The predetermined interval of the regular conduction maintaining energization by the regular energization means 9 may be defined in a control program that regulates the operation of the regular energization means 9, or is separately recorded in a storage element such as a ROM. It may be. Further, the predetermined interval may be configured so that a user or the like can appropriately change by operating the external operation means 8. Two months are exemplified as the predetermined interval of the regular conduction maintaining energization. Power consumption is saved without forming a thick oxide film.

  The maintenance unit 11 is configured to inspect the alarm function of the alarm device 10 and to cause the continuity maintaining unit 7 to perform continuity maintaining energization when the alarm function is inspected. The inspection of the alarm function by the maintenance unit 11 is performed, for example, according to an inspection program recorded in a storage device such as a ROM in the control unit 3 or a storage element in an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer. By executing the inspection program, it is inspected whether the detection unit 2 and the notification unit 4 can operate normally. A series of inspection processes performed by executing the inspection program may be the same as that performed by a conventional alarm device, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The inspection of the alarm function by the maintenance means 11 may be performed periodically, for example, according to a user request. For example, the alarm device may be inspected by the maintenance unit 11 in accordance with the operation of the external operation unit 8. In other words, the above-described self-check and periodic check performed according to the operation of the external operation means 8 may be an inspection of the alarm function of the alarm device 10 by the maintenance means 11. For example, the maintenance unit 11 detects a change according to the operation of the external operation unit 8, such as a signal input to the maintenance unit 11, and executes an inspection program for the alarm function. Then, the maintenance unit 11 sends an instruction to the continuity maintaining unit 7 to perform continuity maintaining energization by a trigger signal or the like before or after the execution of the alarm function inspection program.

  The energization control unit 12 is configured to control conduction maintaining energization by the conduction maintaining unit 7. For example, the energization control unit 12 causes the continuity maintaining unit 7 to suspend the continuity maintaining energization for a predetermined period from when the current flowing through the connector 5 is stopped, that is, when the current that has finally flowed through the connector 5 ends. Configured. Since an oxide film or the like is unlikely to be formed between the contact bodies of the connector 5 while a current is flowing through the connector 5, after a certain current is passed through the connector 5, the conduction maintaining energization is suspended for a predetermined period, The power consumption can be reduced while maintaining the continuity of the connector 5. In that case, for example, the energization control unit 12 directly monitors the current flowing through the connector 5 or generates the drive current during normal operation of the electrical component 6 connected to the connector 5 or the operation of the conduction maintaining unit 7. The operation of the drive device (not shown) is configured to be monitored. That is, the energization control unit 12 is configured to maintain the continuity maintaining unit for a predetermined period from the time when the current has ended for both the current flowing through the continuity maintaining energization of the continuity maintaining unit 7 and the current flowing in the normal operation of the electrical component 6. 7 may be configured to suspend the conduction maintaining energization. However, when the current value during normal operation of the electrical component 6 is not so large as to break the oxide film formed between the contact bodies of the connector 5, for example, only during a predetermined period after energization by the conduction maintaining means 7, You may comprise so that conduction maintenance energization may be suspended.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the energization control means 12. In FIG. 4, steps S <b> 11 a and S <b> 16 a are operations performed by the conduction maintaining unit 7 in response to an instruction from the energization control unit 12. The energization control unit 12 directly monitors the current flowing through the connector 5 or monitors the operation of the conduction maintaining unit 7 or the operation of the driving device that generates the driving current during the normal operation of the electrical component 6 to the connector 5. Is detected (step S10). When energization to the connector 5 is detected, a continuity maintenance energization stop is instructed by transmitting a signal to the continuity maintenance means 7 (step S11). The continuity maintaining means 7 receives the instruction from the energization control means 12 and changes from the normal mode in which the continuity maintaining energization is performed at a predetermined time to the continuity maintenance energization suspend mode in which the continuity maintaining energization is not performed even when the predetermined time comes. The state is changed (step S11a). For example, the energization control unit 12 resets the counter in the control unit 3 (step S12) and continues monitoring the energization state of the connector 5 (loop in the case of N in step S13).

  When the energization control unit 12 detects the stop of the current to the connector 5 (Y in step S13), the energization control unit 12 counts up the counter (step S14), and has the count number of the counter reached a number corresponding to a predetermined time? It is determined whether or not (step S15). If the count number of the counter has not reached the predetermined value (N in step S15), the process returns to step S14 and the loop of steps S14 and S15 is repeated. When the count number reaches a predetermined value (Y in step S15), the continuity maintaining means 7 is notified of the cancellation of the continuity maintaining energization suspension (step S16). When receiving the notification from the energization control unit 12, the conduction maintaining unit 7 returns to the normal mode in which the conduction maintaining energization is performed at a predetermined time (step S16a). Note that, when the connector 5 is energized again during the loop between step S14 and step S15, the process returns to step S12 to reset the counter.

  It should be noted that the suspension of the conduction maintaining energization by the energization control means 12 may be targeted only for the conduction maintaining energization by the trigger from the periodic energization means 9, for example, and the conduction maintaining energization by the trigger from the external operation means 8 or the maintenance means 11 Or both. This selection may be set by a control program of the conduction maintaining means 7.

  Moreover, the predetermined period during which the continuity maintaining energization is suspended is not particularly limited, and may be selected according to the installation environment of the alarm device 10 or the magnitude of the drive current during the normal operation of the electrical component 6. For example, it is set to a period of about one month. This is because it is considered that an oxide film that inhibits the function of the electrical component 6 is difficult to be formed within this period.

  The continuity inspection means 13 is configured to inspect the contact resistance between the contact bodies 5a and 5b (see FIG. 1) of the connector 5. Further, the continuity inspection means 13 may be configured to inspect the contact resistance of the connector 5 periodically. Further, the continuity checking means 13 may be configured to cause the continuity maintaining means 7 to perform continuity maintaining energization when the contact resistance test result of the connector 5 is a failure determination.

  FIG. 5 shows a circuit 13a which is an example of a test circuit for a contact resistance between the contact bodies 5a and 5b of the connector 5 by the continuity test means 13. The connector 5 has a first pole 51 and a second pole 52. The circuit 13a includes resistors R1, R2 and R3 connected in series between the terminal 131 and the ground potential, and a resistor connected between the contact body 5a of the second pole 52 of the connector 5 and the ground potential. R4. The contact body 5a of the first pole 51 of the connector 5 is connected to a connection point between the resistor R1 and the resistor R2. A connection point between the resistor R2 and the resistor R3 is drawn out as a terminal 132. The contact resistance between the contact bodies 5a and 5b of the first pole 51 of the connector 5 is indicated by Rc1, and the contact resistance between the contact bodies 5a and 5b of the second pole 52 is indicated by a pseudo broken line as Rc2. . For example, the terminals 131 and 132 are respectively connected to a current generation element and a voltage detection element in an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer in the control unit 3 (see FIG. 2). As described above, the continuity inspection means 13 includes an inspection circuit composed of a resistor connected around the connector 5, a current or voltage generation element in the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3, and a voltage or current detection element. May contain.

  The contact body 5 b of the first and second poles 51 and 52 of the connector 5 is connected to the electrical component 6. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the electrical component 6 is a speaker 6a. On the other hand, the contact body 5a of the first and second poles 51 and 52 of the connector 5 is connected to the drive circuit 17 in addition to the resistors R2 and R4. The drive circuit 17 is a circuit in the drive device that generates a drive current during normal operation of the electrical component 6. The drive circuit 17 may be a circuit in the device that generates the conduction maintaining current in the conduction maintaining unit 7.

  The inspection of the contact resistance of the connector 5 by the continuity inspection means 13 using the circuit 13a is performed as follows, for example. A predetermined inspection current Im is supplied to the terminal 131 from the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3. The inspection current Im passes through the resistor R1, is divided into the resistors R2 and R3 and the connector 5 and flows into the ground potential. The voltage V12 at the connection point N12 between the resistors R1 and R2 is the resistance R2 to R4, the internal resistance Rp of the electrical component 6, the combined resistance Rm of the contact resistances Rc1 and Rc2 of the connector 5, and the resistor R1. The voltage depends on the ratio. The voltage V23 at the connection point N23 between the resistors R2 and R3 obtained by dividing the voltage V12 by the resistors R2 and R3 is input from the terminal 132 to the voltage detection element of the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3. The The magnitude of the inspection current Im is exemplified by about 1 μA to 10 μA. Even if the contact resistance of the connector 5 is periodically inspected, it is preferable because the power consumption does not increase so much.

  The voltage V23 detected by the voltage detection element of the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3 is compared with a predetermined threshold value recorded in a storage element or the like by a comparison element in the arithmetic unit, and the contact resistance Rc1, The quality of Rc2 is determined. When the contact resistances Rc1 and Rc2 increase, the combined resistance Rm increases, thereby increasing the voltages V12 and V23, respectively. Therefore, the pass / fail of the contact resistances Rc1 and Rc2 is determined by comparing the voltage V23 with an appropriate threshold value. Can be done.

  The values of the resistors R1 to R4 depend on the normal contact resistances Rc1 and Rc2 of the connector 5, the size of the internal resistance Rp of the electrical component 6, the power supply voltage of the arithmetic unit in the control unit 3, and the like. It is selected appropriately. The inspection of the contact resistance of the connector 5 by the continuity inspection means 13 uses the drive circuit 17 that generates the drive current during the normal operation of the electrical component 6 and the continuity maintenance current generation circuit in the continuity maintenance means 7 as described above. May be done without. However, the inspection of the contact resistance of the connector 5 by the continuity inspection means 13 is not limited to the method using the circuit shown in FIG. 5, and may be performed by other methods.

  The continuity inspection means 13 periodically inspects the contact resistance of the connector 5 and causes the continuity maintenance means 7 to perform continuity maintenance energization when the inspection result is defective for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined time continuously. It may be configured. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the continuity checking means 13 configured as described above.

  For example, the continuity checking means 13 resets two counters or timer elements in the control unit 3 (steps S20 and S21), detects the contact resistance of the connector 5 (step S22), and determines whether the contact resistance is good or bad (step S22). Step S23). In the example of FIG. 6, the first counter is used to measure the timing for instructing the continuity maintaining means 7 to conduct continuity energization, and the second counter is used to measure the timing for inspecting the contact resistance of the connector 5. Steps S22 and S23 may be performed by the operation described with reference to FIG.

  If the contact resistance is judged as good (“OK” in step S23), the second counter is counted up (step S28), and the count value of the second counter is set to a predetermined value for periodic contact resistance inspection. It is determined whether or not the number corresponding to the interval has been reached (step S29). When the count number of the second counter has not reached the predetermined number (N in step S29), the loop of step S28 and step S29 is repeated, and when the count number of the second counter reaches the predetermined number (in step S29) Y) The second counter is reset (step S30), and the process returns to step S22 to inspect the contact resistance of the connector 5.

  If the contact resistance is determined to be defective (“NG” in step S23), the first counter is counted up (step S24), and it is determined whether the count number of the first counter has reached a predetermined number. (Step S25). If the count number of the first counter has not reached the predetermined number of times of defect determination continuation in which the continuity maintaining energization is performed by the continuity maintaining means 7 or the number corresponding to the predetermined defect determination continuation time (N in step S25), step Proceed to S28. If the count number of the first counter has reached a predetermined number (Y in step S25), an instruction is sent by transmitting a trigger signal, for example, so as to conduct conduction maintaining power to the conduction maintaining means 7 (step S26). ) After resetting the first counter (step S27), the process proceeds to step S28.

  Note that if the continuity maintaining means 7 is to conduct continuity maintaining energization immediately after a single defect determination, steps S20, S24, S25 and S27 are omitted.

  The failure determination continuation time and the failure determination continuation number for causing the continuity maintaining means 7 to perform continuity maintenance energization are set according to the type of the detection target of the alarm device such as gas leak or fire, the installation location, and the like. For example, 10 hours is exemplified as the failure determination continuation time for conducting the continuity maintaining energization, and 3600 times is illustrated as the failure determination continuation count. In this case, it is prevented that the continuity maintaining energization is performed more frequently than necessary due to variations in inspection and the like, and power consumption is reduced.

  Further, the criterion for determining the contact resistance of the connector 7 is appropriately set according to the magnitude of the contact resistance in the normal state, the robustness of the electrical component 6 with respect to the increase in contact resistance, and / or the internal resistance of the electrical component 6. . For example, when the internal resistance of the electrical component 6 is about 8Ω, it is determined as defective when the resistance value between the two poles of the connector 7 including the internal resistance of the electrical component 6 is 100 kΩ or more. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent the continuity maintaining energization from being performed more frequently than necessary due to variations in inspection, and power consumption can be saved. The resistance value between the two poles of the connector 7 including the internal resistance of the electrical component 6 is, for example, from the contact body 5a of the first pole 51 to the contact body 5b of the first pole 51 shown in FIG. It means the resistance value of the path from the component 6 and the contact body 5b of the second pole 52 to the contact body 5a of the second pole 52.

  By the operation of the continuity checking means 13, the continuity maintaining energization can be performed only when the contact resistance of the connector 5 is determined to be defective. Thereby, an increase in power consumption due to energization more than necessary is suppressed. As a result, the continuity of the connector 5 can be efficiently maintained. However, the continuity checking means 13 may operate together with the regular energizing means 9 and the maintenance means 11.

  The failure notification means 14 shown in FIG. 2 is configured to notify the user when a failure of the alarm device is detected as a result of the inspection of the alarm function of the alarm device and the periodic inspection. Therefore, the failure notification unit 14 preferably includes at least one of a sound generation component such as a buzzer or a speaker belonging to the notification unit 4 and a display member such as a light emitting diode or a display. The failure notification means 14 generates a sound with, for example, a buzzer according to the failure detection of the alarm device 10, and / or indicates that the alarm device 10 has a failure due to lighting or flashing of a light emitting diode or the like. To inform.

  The failure notifying unit 14 may be configured to perform a contact resistance inspection (post-inspection) of the connector 5 after the continuity maintaining energization by the continuity maintaining unit 7 and notify the user when the post-inspection is a failure determination. . The post-inspection by the failure notification unit 14 may be performed in the same manner as the contact resistance inspection by the continuity inspection unit 13. Further, when the contact resistance is regularly inspected by the continuity inspection means 13, the post-inspection by the failure notification means 14 is performed after the continuity maintenance energization (step S <b> 26 in FIG. 6) during the operation of the continuity inspection means 13. May be done. That is, when the contact resistance failure determination of the connector 5 has continued for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined time, the continuity maintaining energization is performed, and when the subsequent contact resistance inspection still determines the failure, a failure notification is performed. It's okay. In this case, since the contact resistance test is performed by the failure notification unit 14 after step S26 in FIG. 6, the continuity test unit 13 is configured to reset the second counter before proceeding to step S28 in FIG. May be.

  In addition, the contact resistance is still high even after the conduction maintaining current by the conduction maintaining means 7 as described above, and the deterioration factor of the conduction performance due to the oxide film or the like is removed after the conduction maintaining current except for the case where the failure is determined. It is thought that there is. Therefore, by conducting a post-inspection after conducting the continuity conduction, it may be possible to accurately grasp a state in which the continuity performance is deteriorated due to a factor different from the oxide film or the like. For example, the contact body of the connector 5 may be slightly deformed due to deterioration over time, and an increase in contact resistance due to a decrease in contact pressure due to the deformation may be detected. A problem with the alarm device 10 due to deterioration of the connector 55 may be prevented.

  An example of the appearance of the alarm device 10 of the embodiment having the external operation means 8 and the like is shown in FIG. The alarm device 10 is externally provided with a casing 91 that houses the detection unit 2, the control unit 3 and the notification unit 4 illustrated in FIG. 2, a power supply unit (not illustrated), and the like. A push button switch 8a is provided as an external operation means. In addition, a display window 94 is provided in the lower left corner of the housing 91 in FIG. 3, and a display device that indicates a power supply state from the power supply unit so that the display state can be visually recognized through the display window 94. 40 is arranged. The indicator 40 may be the electrical component 6 connected by the connector 5 or may be a component belonging to the notification unit 4.

In FIG. 3, above the push button switch 8a, a light emitting diode 16 for indicating that the alarm device 10 is in a failure state, and a light emitting diode 18a as an alarm means when an abnormality in the surrounding environment is detected by the detection unit 2. ˜18e are provided over two rows. The light emitting diode 16 may be a display member constituting the failure notification means 14. Further, a light-emitting diode 18a is the detection of more than the prescribed value CO _2, the light emitting diode 18b for gas leakage, and the light emitting diode 18c~18e may be warning means for fire. The light-emitting diodes 18c to 18e may be controlled so that only one or all of the light-emitting diodes 18c to 18e are turned on or blinks in order for alerting. The light emitting diodes 18 a to 18 e may be parts belonging to the notification unit 4. Further, the housing 91 is provided with an opening 92 at the upper right position in FIG. 3. For example, a buzzer or a speaker (not shown) constituting the notification unit 4 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 92, A ringing sound is emitted without being blocked by the casing 91.

  On the side surface of the housing 91, an insertion / removal type power switch 93 for the alarm device 10 is provided. The alarm device 10 is installed with the back side facing the wall or ceiling of the room in FIG. A power switch 93 is provided at a position that is relatively difficult for the user to reach so that an abnormality can always be detected without being easily stopped after installation. On the other hand, the push button switch 8a, the display window 94, the light emitting diodes 16, 18a to 18e, and the opening 92 described above are easily operated by the user and can easily recognize light and sound. 3 is provided on the front). The appearance of the alarm device 10 of the present embodiment, the positions of the openings 92 and the display windows 94, and the arrangement of the light emitting diodes are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. May be placed in position.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 10 Alarm device 2 Detection part 3 Control part 4 Notification part 5 Connector 5a, 5b Contact body 6 Electrical component 7 Continuity maintenance means 8 External operation means 9 Periodic electricity supply means 11 Maintenance means 12 Conduction control means 13 Continuity inspection means 13a Continuity inspection Contact resistance inspection circuit 14 for failure means 16a, 18a to 18e Light emitting diode 40 Display 91 Housing 92 Opening

Claims (7)

An alarm device including a detection unit that detects a state of an external environment, a control unit that processes detection data of the detection unit, and a notification unit that operates according to a control signal from the control unit,
At least one of the components of the alarm is connected via a connector;
The said control part is an alarm device which has a conduction | electrical_connection maintenance means which performs the conduction | electrical_connection maintenance energization for keeping the conduction | electrical_connection of the said connector with respect to the said connector at predetermined time. The alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising external operation means operable from outside, wherein the conduction maintaining means is configured to perform the conduction maintenance energization when the external operation means is operated. Further, periodic energization means for periodically conducting the continuity conduction energization, maintenance means for performing an inspection of the alarm function of the alarm device and performing the continuity maintenance energization during the inspection of the alarm function, and a current flowing through the connector The alarm device according to claim 1, further comprising an energization control unit that suspends the continuity maintaining energization for a predetermined period from the time of stopping. The continuity inspection means for performing the continuity maintenance energization when the contact resistance of the connector is periodically inspected and the inspection of the contact resistance is a failure determination is provided. The alarm device described. Further, a failure notification means is provided for performing a post-inspection of the contact resistance of the connector after the continuity maintaining energization and notifying a user when the post-inspection is a failure determination. The alarm device according to item. The said conduction | electrical_connection maintenance means is comprised so that the said conduction | electrical_connection maintenance energization may be performed with the electric current smaller than the electric current which flows at the time of the operation | movement of the component connected via the said connector. Alarm. The component connected through the connector is an acoustic generator, and the conduction maintaining means is configured to perform the conduction maintaining current with a pulse having a frequency outside the audible band. The alarm device according to claim 1.

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